The Curious Case of Kenny Demens
I know Brian usually comes out with his official grades pretty quickly here however I have to wonder where the production at MLB has been this year. I dont know too much about his stats but it would seem that he has been a little under-whelming thus far.
Everyones attention was placed on Roh's dissapearing act in the first couple games, but he has come to life in the last 2 games. Many posters on this board including myself thought that Demens was primed for a big year after showing some signs near the end of last year and with us returning to a 4-3 Def. Have the opposing offesive schemes just neutralized him or his he just underpreforming??
A friend of mine tried to convince me that the true value of Demens will be seen in the MSU game because of their much more downhill attack, but didnt Eastern run the ball pretty well?
Here is to hoping that like Roh, Demens has a some big games as we start conference play.
Any insights or ideas???
September 26th, 2011 at 3:03 PM ^
This thread sucks so I'll just add a random thought I just had.
It'd be cool to some point down the road see a trick play where DG comes in the game and throws a deep ball lined up as a WR. Denard hits DG for one of those turn and gun it to the WR right off the snap and then Gallon/Hemingway/Roundtree races down the sidelines and DG hits him in stride. Yea, let's do it.
September 26th, 2011 at 3:32 PM ^
I'd also like to see DG line up at QB in shotgun formation, Denard as a HB. Direct snap to Denard, DG fakes the snap going over the top of his head.
Also, I'd like to see a pseduo-wild cat with DG as QB and Denard lined up wide. Statue of Liberty, TD random halfback. Tell me that all 11 defenders wouldnt get sucked over to Denard...
Granted I know these are all one trick ponies. But it'd be fun to see. And would really catch a team off guard. And would be generally awesome in a bowl game.
September 26th, 2011 at 4:22 PM ^
I'd like to see a trick play where DG lines up as a slot receiver and then motions into the backfield and then Denard motions to the slot and then Gallon motions to the QB spot and then when they hike the ball Gallon pitches it to Denard who then tosses it to DG on an end around who then finds Roy Roundtree riding some kind of majestic ninja rocket up the sideline for the easy touchdown except 1.2 seconds after the ball was hiked some huge ass 6"4 MLB come in and annihalated the play.
September 26th, 2011 at 4:25 PM ^
Come on man, let's be realistic. There's no way Denard lets Roundtree hop on for a ride.
September 26th, 2011 at 5:29 PM ^
You had me at "majestic ninja rocket."
September 26th, 2011 at 5:00 PM ^
Yes, this would not be blindingly obvious at all. Remember when Eastern did this and T Gordon picked it?
September 26th, 2011 at 3:04 PM ^
"Oh ho! Vermhat! Yeah, that's a German guy. His name's Hans Vermhat. He appears in my dreams, he drives a biplane and he shoots at me, and I run through a field...."
September 26th, 2011 at 3:06 PM ^
on a D that hasn't let up a big run TD in 4 games? Michigan is here again.
September 26th, 2011 at 3:10 PM ^
I'm concerned about Denard's inability to have a productive run game and break out speed.
September 26th, 2011 at 3:15 PM ^
You do realize most of the successful runs against Michigans D have been to the outside, victimizing the outside linebackers like Ryan, Beyer, and at times hawthorne for failing to contain on the edge.
September 26th, 2011 at 3:17 PM ^
when did darth vader get a chain necklace?
September 26th, 2011 at 3:25 PM ^
He bought it when he was on Spring Break in the Redneck Riviera (also known as FloriBama)
September 26th, 2011 at 4:16 PM ^
As the father of a star wars junkie, the "necklace" is what holds his cloak up.
September 26th, 2011 at 3:18 PM ^
Das German?
September 26th, 2011 at 3:51 PM ^
just put your head back in the sand and wait for the season to end and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
September 26th, 2011 at 4:02 PM ^
I think Mattison is using the approach of blitzing your younger or less fundamental linebackers, and leaving your quality LB's (Demens) back to make tackles and cover a zone. It looks like the blitzing LBs are the ones making plays, but Demens sound play is what's allowing those players to blitz.
September 26th, 2011 at 4:23 PM ^
well this sure went over well
September 26th, 2011 at 4:32 PM ^
It was refreshing to see the MGoCommunity to rally together for a common cause, no? Too bad the OP was on the business end of it all . . .
September 26th, 2011 at 5:39 PM ^
Yeah, and the OP wasn't obnoxious about it...just seeing things differently.
Demens is doing a lot of things that aren't showing in the stat column...like holding positions, funneling action etc...the things you need to make the whole D work
September 26th, 2011 at 4:46 PM ^
our defense is vastly improved. sure...we may give up some plays, but....guys are generally in the vicinity of the position they are supposed to be in and the tackling is much better. With that said, I agree with the BlueIQ that Demens would be dissappointing, considering the caliber of linebackers Michigan normally produces. Though Demens may only have MAC talent, I'll take him all day and night over Obi.
September 26th, 2011 at 5:00 PM ^
Huh? Can you provide some evidence to show that Demens is only a MAC level linebacker? Do you have any stats or numbers to back up that claim, or is that just a random stab in the dark you made there?
This is not about having the ability to voice your opinions. If you want to voice your opinions, that's fine, you are more than welcome to, but back them up with something. You make yourself look unintelligent when you just make random claims that are unsubstantiated by anything.
September 26th, 2011 at 5:28 PM ^
Don't argue with an idiot... He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
September 26th, 2011 at 6:14 PM ^
that is one of the best quotes ive heard in awhile (said while arguing with idiot roommate over proper use trashcans - as in trash goes in them and not on the ground next to them).
but annnnway, back to demens. thats stats speak for themselves - you want your MLB to lead your team in tackles...and he is. kind of reminds of david harris: he didn't make a ton of flashy plays and you didnt hear his name because he was doing his job. obviously, demens is not on the level as DH but i think they play the same (or at least demens has thus far this year) in that they just go about making tackles and not letting the other team run it up the middle for 45 yards and a touchdown. i think the bigger is is the LBs playing as a unit - doesn't do a ton of good if demens is in the right spot and the other LBs are getting sealed/blow out of the water. it would be nice to see the playside LB plug a hole/take on a blocker and demens come through and clean up at the LOS.
i do like Pandemens!
September 26th, 2011 at 5:41 PM ^
You mean like the ones he has been having lately?